Tuesday, December 17, 2013

The Mind And Body Matter

In the latest issue of USA Swimming's Splash Magazine, there was a quote that swimming is 90% mental. Since the magazine is aimed at pool swimmers, we wonder what percentage is the mental aspect of open water swimming?

Is it 70%? 80%? 90%? Does it differ between a tropical swim and an ice swim? Is the mind utilized more the longer you swim, the rougher the water is or the colder the elements are?

But when we see photos of Nuala Moore (shown above) at the ice swimming competition in Tyumen, Russia this weekend, together with Jackie Corbell, Anne Marie Ward and Ram Barkai, we have to believe that the physical adaptations, physical acclimation and physical abilities also play a significant role in what ice swimmers do - or what any open water swimmers attempt or accomplish. From our warm-weather base in Southern California, watching the ice swimmers compete in more northern climates is an unbelievable marvel of human focus, physical talents and mental fortitude.

It is often said, "Mind over matter." But at the root of this ability for the mind to control the body, must not the body be physically prepared? On the other hand, swimming is a voluntary activity where everything is driven by the mind. So what exactly - or approximately - that percentage of mental and physical in the sport of open water swimming?

The Other Shore

The Other Shore follows world record holder and legendary swimmer Diana Nyad as she comes out of a thirty-year retirement to re-attempt an elusive dream: swimming 103 miles non-stop from Cuba to Florida without the use of a shark cage. Her past and present collide in her obsession with a feat that nobody has ever accomplished. At the edge of The Devil’s Triangle, tropical storms, sharks, venomous jellyfish, and one of the strongest ocean currents in the world, all prove to be life-threatening realities. Timothy Wheeler’s documentary brings Diana Nyad’s extraordinary adventure to life as Diana sets out to prove that will and determination are all you need to make the unimaginable possible.LEARN MORE...

2014 Open Water Swimming Almanac

An Almanac for Open Water Swimming

An almanac is essentially a body of knowledge which is so complete that it enables people in different fields to make predictions about the future of their respective industries.

This, for example, was the purpose of the traditional farmers almanacs. It enabled farmers to determine as accurately as possible which crops to plant for the greatest harvests in a given year.

But the farmers almanac was just one example among many. There are, of course, many different kinds of almanacs.

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DVD's and Download Available October 19

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SWIM THE ISLAND is the ultimate open water swimming event taking place in the fascinating Marine Protected Area of Bergeggi, in the north-west coast of Italy. The event takes place in an absolutely spectacular natural setting, offering swimmers the vision of one of the most extraordinary seabeds of the Mediterranean sea.